Where to go, what are the best cities to visit in Croatia?
Check our list of the best places in Croatia to visit
Situated on the edge of the stunning Adriatic Sea, Croatia stands as one of the most charming countries in Europe.
Almost every region of the country has something unique to offer to its visitors. It’s not possible to write down each attraction that lies in Croatia. Yet, we as locals, chose some of the best places to visit in Croatia for you.
Since you planning a visit to Croatia, we recommend reading our travel guide about the 10 best places to visit in Croatia. If you are traveling to Croatia for the first time, here is the Croatia travel guide as well, you should not miss a read.
10. Zadar
Zadar is a three-thousand-year-old city perched beautifully on the northern Dalmatian coastline. It is an epic tourist getaway because it has many great landmarks and offers innumerable activities to indulge in, minus the heavy crowds.
The Old Town is located in the city’s heart and can be easily explored by walking. This historical district is recognized for its renowned attractions like Roman ruins, medieval architecture, and even churches. Roman Forum, St Donat’s Church, St Anastasia’s Cathedral, and Archaeological Museum are popular sites and should be visited.
The pristine beaches at the coastline offer plenty of opportunities for visitors to sunbathe, swim and enjoy a medley of summer and water sports.
Located on the wonderful seaside promenade are two stellar attractions that are the prime highlights of Zadar and shouldn’t be missed at any cost.
These premier highlights include the Sea Organ, which makes music as the waves push through its underground pipes, and the Sun Salutation, which absorbs solar energy the entire day and translates it into a colorful display of light at night.
9. Pula
Situated on the Adriatic coast in the Istria region of Croatia, the historical Pula city is a must-see destination stop. Besides the innumerable beautiful beaches that it accommodates, Pula has gained international acclaim due to its stellar well-preserved Roman amphitheater.
This amphitheater known as Pula Arena is arguably one of the best conserved Roman architecture. It rises mightily on the edge of an ancient old town.
Built by Emperor Vespasian around the 1st century, the grand and eloquent amphitheater is only rivaled by its universally acknowledged cousin, Colosseum, in Rome.
This amphitheater was used to host entertainment events like gladiator fights and jousting and could easily accommodate 20,000 people.
Even now, it is used to exhibit festivals and concerts and can house 5000 people conveniently. The theater is interspersed with alluring Venetian buildings, lively bars, traditional Croatian eateries, craggy cliff-backed coves, and sun-splashed verandahs.
The ancient Roman Forum and Temple of Augustus are other epic historical highlights that make Pula one of the best places to go in Croatia.
8. Korcula
Esteemed to be the birthplace of the notable merchant and traveler Marco Polo, Korcula is an island situated off the Adriatic Coast.
The island is easily accessible through ferries traveling from Split, Dubrovnik, and other cosmopolitan cities. Korcula is an enchanting island encompassed by picturesque panoramas and old-fashioned and appealing towns steeped in rich history and beguiling traditions.
Korcula is famous for its verdant forests, lush vineyards, olive groves, and boulevards shrouded with lime trees, shops, restaurants, and hotels.
Korcula Town, the city’s main town, is renowned for its safeguarded walled town laced with Venetian Renaissance architecture, bustling markets, and many great tourist facilities.
Korcula has also gained international acclaim for hosting effervescent cultural traditions and festivals that have been ongoing for centuries.
7. Trogir
Historically known as one of the biggest cultural centers of Dalmatia, the jewel of this ancient city are works of artisan Radovan. Situated in the vicinity of Split, nearby the Airport of Split, Trogir is one of the best places to visit in Croatia around the Split area before your flight departure.
To know Trogir better, we recommend a taste of Mediterranean cuisine as are ravioli of Trogir and pašticada.
Despite the fact it is one of the smallest towns on our coast, it is definitely worth visiting, especially for lovers of religious art and old city cores.
Trogir is a town museum in the very meaning of the word. It is considered to be one of the best preserved Romanesque-Gothic towns n Central Europe and this makes it special and unique.
The core of the town is a castle and a fortress surrounded by city walls and especially valuable is the cathedral of St. Lawrence. The historical core of Trogir is a unique cultural monument that is listed on UNESCO’s list of world heritage.
6. Rovinj
This quiet and quaint fishing village, nestled in the Istrian peninsula in the Adriatic Sea, has gained prominence and become one of the leading tourist destinations in Croatia.
Rovinj is an archipelago of 20 islands and is hemmed in with gorgeous landscapes, historical places, lovely dining, and contemporary tourist facilities.
The Old Town is settled on a small peninsula. It features handsome features like narrow cobblestone streets, exquisite arches, stairways, and other delightful architectural wonders, making it a must-visit spot in Rovinj.
Some famous landmarks of the Old Town that enhance its magnificence and magnetizes tourists are the city’s archaic gates, the Balbi Arch, St Euphemia’s Basilica, and the 12th-century town clock.
The Valdibora’s Farmer’s Market, Carrera Street, and the charming harbor are also reasons people are keen on visiting Rovinj’s Old Town.
Rovinj is also dotted with many outdoor pursuits outside the Old Town.
Tourists can enjoy swimming and scuba diving on Rovinj’s beaches. They can indulge in hiking, cycling, and rock climbing in the Lim Fjord and the Zlatni RT Forest Park.
5. Hvar island
Hvar is a spectacular Croatian island located off the Dalmatian Coast. It is one of the most favorite tourist destinations in the Adriatic Sea. Its pristine beaches, lavender fields, and verdant vineyards are accredited.
Hvar Town is Hvar’s prime city which is recognized for its marble stone streets, alluring churches, medieval walls, and arresting old fortress. This town square is one of the largest squares in Croatia. It is shrouded with many historical edifices like the Arsenal and the Cathedral of St Stephen.
Hvar is popular for offering engaging adrenaline-boosting pursuits like hiking on the cliffs, swimming in the coves, and boating around the nearby Pakleni Islands.
Visitors can also pay a visit to the Grapceva Cave to witness the unique geological formations and medieval archeological sites to uncover ancient artifacts that give an insight into the Hvar’s Neolithic History. The buzzing nightlife of Hvar is also one of the many reasons visitors love to visit it.
4. Zagreb
Zagreb, Croatia’s capital and the largest city in Croatia, is perched proudly at the base of the craggy Medvednica massif in the northern inland belt.
The archaic Gornji Grad, which encompasses the Upper Town, is the primary sightseeing place here. This kinetic metropolis is decked with amazing historical and modern tourist landmarks. It is the heart of Croatian culture and the epicenter of academics and government.
This bustling city is distributed into two sectors known as Upper Town, which features medieval churches, cobblestone streets, ancient towns, and palaces.
Some famous landmarks unmissable in Croatia are Stone Gate, Ban Jelacic Square, the city’s primary square, and Dolac Market, known for its epic stalls of fresh produce, local handiwork, and clothing.
3. Plitvice Lakes
The Plitvice National Park is a unique beauty and one of the most mesmerizing natural wonders in Croatia and all of Europe. It was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979.
Perched halfway between the capital city of Zagreb and Zadar on the coast, Plitvice National Park enchants and allures visitors with its emerald lakes and enchanting waterfalls in Croatia.
It is an ideal place for all nature enthusiasts as it lays bare hypnotizing vistas that make it look like a fairytale wonderland.
It is deemed one of the most alluring karst entities in the world. The chain of 16 terraced, glistening turquoise and emerald lakes gush down below into the next one forming a chain.
These lakes link with small streams and waterfalls, making it look like a picture right from paradise.
The small waterfalls that thunder and roar under the feet cast a spellbinding spell on the senses. The lush and verdant green forest is home to bears, wolves, and many extraordinary bird species.
Visitors can also explore the lakes by strolling on the wooden walkways throughout the park. Discovering the park’s treasures through boating and train rides is also an option.
2. Dubrovnik
Rising from between the half-baked limestone edges of the Dalmatian Coat and the tantalizingly blue waters of the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is one of the most mesmerizing and popular cities in Croatia.
This glamorous city is among the UNESCO Heritage sites. It encompasses the Old Town Area, bolstered by its medieval protective walls and dotted with towers, fortresses, and cannons.
You can plan an itinerary to visit Dubrovnik to explore the popular Stradun, a 300-meter-long thoroughfare for pedestrians.
This limestone cobblestone thoroughfare is dotted with boutiques, restaurants, and cafes and is a must-see destination.
Some of the other remarkable markers in Dubrovnik are an amazing cathedral with its marvelous artifacts, the Square of Loggia with its incredible monuments, and one of the most prominent forts known as Fort Lovrijenac.
1. Split
Split is definitely our first choice and guarantees the best places to visit in Croatia.
The city is situated on the peninsula, which is located off the Dalmatian Coast and is nicknamed Mediterranean Flower.
This second-largest city of Croatia is famous for its Roman architecture and orange rooftops, creating a gorgeous and picturesque contrast against the sparkling turquoise sea and imperial coastal mountains.
Split has become one of the most beautiful places to visit in Croatia due to its tropical weather, an abundance of sunshine, and stunning panoramas. This bustling city is one of the prime transportation hubs on Adriatic Island.
The Diocletian Palace is the jewel of the palace and is legendary for presenting its Gothic and Renaissance architecture.
This Roman Emperor’s Castle is an amazing maze-like city enclosing marble walkways, buildings, shops, cafes, and bars.
The palace’s interior is known to house magnificent historical structures like Jupiter’s Temple, St Duje’s Cathedral, and Egyptian Sphinx monuments.
Tourists also revel in taking a walk along the seaside promenade, swimming on the popular beaches in Split, cycling along with the trials on Marjan hill, and watching a thrilling football game in Poljud Stadium.
